Further greetings from Bahrain

Courtesy of its very own 'man on the ground', Pitpass was able to give an insight into what was really happening in Bahrain long before the sport and its powers that be woke up to reality.

As Bernie Ecclestone insists that the Bahrain Grand Prix will definitely take place in 2012 unless "something terrible" happens, our man gives us an update:

"Bahrain is in a very perilous state. Earlier this year, the FIA surpassed itself when it sent a non Arabic, or English, speaking official to a shopping mall, where he declared Bahrain had no internal problems based on his inspection of several people's grocery bags. This would of course be the same mall that protestors have rampaged through recently, attacking shops and bystanders on several occasions.

The daily commute has become a bit of a grind, mainly due to the fact I have discovered my car does not like been driven through burning hot oil that has been spread across the major highways on a daily basis. Should you make it through then there is a good chance you will face the burning tyre obstacles, with the odd stone or large rock coming your way, this will only add to the pleasure of your drive as you admire the Saudi tanks, wishing you had one of those.

Protests and violence from both sides is much more focused now and the local population has smartened up and learned better tactics to avoid the authorities, which is why when the police catch someone such as Ali Yusuf Al Hassan Ebrahim, who would have turned 16 last month, they decided to crush him into a wall. Of course, had there been any chance of his survival, his parents would have been unable to take him to the hospital, as they would have been arrested on sight, and in any case the doctors and nurses would not be able to treat him without joining their colleagues in prison.

Having discovered this way to remove "obstacles" (sorry opposition) the security authorities went on to crush a 44 year old man in his car. Thousands attended his funeral which only led to more tear gas, more clashes, more violence and more detentions.

In a bid to move attention everything is blamed by the government on Iran, at the moment, if a light bulb blows it is Iran's fault. This is despite the fact that the ruling family has a gas pipeline project between the two countries and several Iran banks continue to operate here.

There are clashes all over Bahrain, people are angry and see no change, the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report has not helped. They have lost their jobs, there is no medical care or schooling and day-in, day-out the security forces attack protestors.